Sure, we've said that longer hair is coming back into style
lately — a correction in response to those overly trendy
razor-fade styles reminiscent of the early part of the 20th
century.

The problem with that in warmer climates is that all that extra
bulk on top of your head can actually make you feel hotter. If
your hair is a dark color or really thick, this effect can be
magnified.

But there's a way to combine the two for the summer, while still
keeping cool. Yes, the perfect cut for summer.

Just ask for your hair to be shorter on the sides than
the top. Yes, it's as simple as that. It's much more
stylish than buzzing it off, and it's incredibly versatile for
anything summer will throw at you.

Some guidelines to get this type of cut:

Tell them how short you want it on the sides. It can be
helpful to know the specific
number of the clippers you want your barber to use. If
you don't know what setting of clippers you prefer, ask your
barber to start with a longer setting and progressively get
shorter until you find a style you like.

When saying how long you want it kept on top, inches are the
best figure (1 inch, 1 1/2 inches, etc.).

Specify what kind of part you'd like. For no transition, ask
for a shaved
part (long on top, buzzed on the sides). For a
more conservative style, ask for a natural or blended
transition.

If you don't want your sides to be all the same length, ask
for a tapered
cut, which means your hair gets
gradually longer toward the top of your head.

For more manageable hair, ask the barber to add some texture to
the top. Texturing will thin out the bulk of your hair and is
great for anyone with thicker hair. This is also great to thin
out thicker hair for the summer.

Lastly, tell your barber how long you want your fringe (aka
bangs) to be in the front, and if you sweep it to the side or
style it in any way.